Tech in DC: SEC Chair Atkins, Speaker Johnson & Senator Warren 9/29/26

Google is the latest tech giant to release its own AI agent as concerns about AI safety persist both inside and outside the tech industry. Elon Musk biographer, professor, and student of history Walter Isaacson discusses the AI doomsday narrative and the personality clashes behind the AI headlines. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky weighs in on the future of AI agents, including his own efforts to build one and the larger rhetoric problem that Silicon Valley has, when it comes to AI. Chesky issues a wake up call to his fellow tech leaders. Plus, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz is moving to Paramount-WBD, and Foundayo’s latest trial results made good news for Eli Lilly.  Walter Isaacson - 18:31Brian Chesky - 33:37 In this episode:Brian Chesky, @bcheskyJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After President Trump hosted tech and AI leaders at the White House on Tuesday, the group ultimately agreed to an “Accord on Super Intelligence.” Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, in the room for the meeting, discusses the significance of the accord and liability issues for AI. While Axios has reported that Jay Clayton could be one of President Trump’s candidates for AI Czar, Clayton is focused on the outcomes of Tuesday’s meeting. Author of “The Infinity Machine” Sebastian Mallaby weighs in on the accord as well, addressing Dario Amodei’s relationship with the President and the friction between innovation and safety in the world of artificial–or super–intelligence.  Sebastian Mallaby - 19:56Jay Clayton - 31:12 In this episode:Sebastian Mallaby, @scmallabyJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One week after a friendly summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, CNBC details an aggressive plot by China to infiltrate one of the United States’ most important institutions: the Federal Reserve. This explosive documentary delves into the incredible saga of a Chinese spy's effort to obtain secrets from the inner confines of the US top bank. It's a tale of sex, money, deceit and betrayal that put some of the country’s vital economic and financial secrets at risk. With exclusive access to new documents, audio, photos and text messages, CNBC's Senior Washington Correspondent Eamon Javers uncovers the story of former Fed economist John Rogers and a Chinese spy posing as an economics student who he befriended in 2013. “Inside Man” is a spy story at the heart of the competition for global economic dominance, posing the question of whether Rogers was a spy himself or an unwitting dupe. Watch the full documentary, read the article and explore excerpts from Rogers’ text message history here: cnbc.com/insideman Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As tech titans head to the White House for a meeting, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) discusses his expectations for the meeting, the future of AI guardrails, and the upcoming midterm elections. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is zeroing in on big tech’s tax breaks and the AI data center build out. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins responds to Anthropic’s “existential risk to humanity” in its IPO prospectus. Chair Atkins underscores his own mission to keep America’s IPO market strong.  Paul Atkins - 08:30Speaker Mike Johnson - 20:26Sen. Elizabeth Warren - 38:35 In this episode:Paul Atkins, @SECPaulAtkinsRep. Mike Johnson, @SpeakerJohnsonSen. Elizabeth Warren, @SenWarrenJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In an extended interview, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang explains the company’s newest AI safety software–part of an effort to create a modern web browser for AI. Huang makes the case to innovate and understand technology before attempting to regulate it. Then, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek unveils his memoir, “Inside the Castle Walls: My Thirty Years at the Happiest Place on Earth.” Chapek recounts his long career at Disney and his tumultuous two and a half years as CEO, before being replaced by the very leader he succeeded: Bob Iger. Chapek reflects on the dramatic and disappointing end to his tenure. Plus, Bill Gates has issued another warning on AI. Jensen Huang - 09:32Bob Chapek - 38:36 In this episode:Jensen Huang, @JensenHuangBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue has been in the room during the summit and state dinner between President Trump and President Xi this week. Amb. Perdue discusses the evolving relationship between the two leaders, bilateral trade, Iran, Taiwan, and the potential of U.S.-China  collaboration on AI. Plus, Ark Invest CIO and CEO Cathie Wood shares her outlook, as shared in her latest investor letter. A Tesla, SpaceX, Coinbase, Kalshi, and Robinhood investor, Wood discusses her bets on the future of tech.  Megan Cassella - 02:33Amb. David Perdue - 15:03Cathie Wood - 30:41 In this episode:Cathie Wood, @CathieDWoodMegan Cassella, @mmcassellaJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKelly Evans, @KellyCNBCCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Meta’s Muse Charm launch has prompted a surge in Meta stock as investors consider the wider implications of a device to harness AI. Media and tech watching Rich Greenfield discusses the gravity of this moment in the AI revolution and the value it could create for Meta shareholders. AOL co-founder Steve Case weighs in on the liability and regulatory issues that arise in a tech revolution. Plus, China’s President Xi Jinping is visiting the U.S. for the first time in 11 years, and the 30-year Treasury bond yield has hit its highest level since 2004, as investors weigh the likelihood of another rate hike from the Fed. Rich Greenfield - 17:00Steve Case - 27:20 In this episode:Rich Greenfield, @RichLightShedJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKelly Evans, @KellyCNBCCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As support for Democratic Socialists grows around the country, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a “Free Enterprise Express” bus tour to educate Americans on free market capitalism. President and CEO of the Chamber Suzanne Clark discusses the marketing of capitalism and its support–and frustrations–across the nation. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) discusses the fractures within his own party, including the rising popularity of DSA and growing discontent with the billionaires in his own district, Silicon Valley. Plus, President Trump said he’s in support of a full or partial ban on diesel exports, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent could be the next White House AI czar, and the Trump administration has removed about 760,000 Obamacare enrollments, alleging fraud. Rep. Ro Khanna - 14:59Suzanne Clark - 31:39 In this episode:Ro Khanna, @RepRoKhannaJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Outspoken investor, philanthropist and Home Depot founder Ken Langone is Squawk Box’s special guest. In an extended conversation, he discusses the consumer economy, his favorite stocks, and the intersection of business and politics. Langone joins a spirited discussion with Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), looking ahead to the midterms and suggests he’s willing to pay higher taxes. Skybridge founder Anthony Scaramucci diagnoses the rise of President Trump to a few key moments in recent economic history. Plus, Paramount has paved a path to merge with Warner Brothers Discovery, east coast airports suffered disruptions as UNGA began, Jamie Dimon has commented on the global markets and Meta’s new AI agent takes off.  Anthony Scaramucci - 12:49Ken Langone - 28:19Sen. Peter Welch - 41:55  In this episode: Anthony Scaramucci, @ScaramucciSen. Peter Welch, @SenPeterWelchJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is fresh off a meeting with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng, just a few days before the meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. Sec. Bessent shares takeaways from his own meeting, including his perspective on AI competition between the U.S. and China and the regulatory responsibility of AI developers. Plus, Sec. Bessent discusses the Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike and President Trump’s decision to revoke credentials from CNN, MS Now, and Politico journalists in the White House press pool. CNBC’s Eamon Javers reports on the joint lawsuit CNN, MS Now, and Politico filed against the Trump administration in response. In a discussion about AI safety and ethics, Stuart Russell, University of California at Berkeley professor and president of the International Association for Safe and Ethical AI, considers the likelihood of maintaining control of AI as it grows more capable. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has dismissed many AI concerns as “doomsday narratives.”  Eamon Javers - 03:56Stuart Russell - 14:16Sec. Scott Bessent - 30:35  In this episode:Scott Bessent, @SecScottBessenEamon Javers, @eamonjaversJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.